Firing assembly for compressed gas operated launching device

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic assembly for a compressed gas gun having a hammer chamber including a hammer conduit, and a hammer with an aperture surrounding at least a portion of the hammer conduit. A compressed gas gun has a breech, a bolt moveable within the breech from a loading position to a firing position, a pneumatic assembly in communication with the breech, the pneumatic assembly comprising a high pressure chamber, and a hammer chamber. A discharge valve is disposed in the pneumatic assembly between the high pressure chamber and hammer chamber. A solenoid valve is provided for selectively supplying compressed gas to the hammer conduit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No.60/546,219, filed Feb. 23, 2004, which is incorporated by reference asif fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an assembly for a compressed gas gun, and moreparticularly, to a novel pneumatic assembly including a novel hammer andvalve arrangement for a compressed gas gun.

BACKGROUND

Paintball is a sporting game having two teams of players usually tryingto capture one another's flag. The sport is played on a large field withopposing home bases at each end. Each team's flag is located at theplayer's home base. In addition, all of the players have compressed gasguns, referred to herein as either “compressed gas guns” or “paintballmarkers”, that shoot projectiles commonly referred to as paintballs.These paintballs are generally spherical gelatin capsules filled withpaint. During play of the sport, the players on each team advancetowards the opposing team's base in hopes of stealing the opposingteam's flag, without being eliminated from the war game. A player iseliminated from the game when the player is hit by a paintball firedfrom an opposing player's marker. When the paintball hits a player, a“splat” of paint is left on the player.

Compressed gas guns using compressed gas or air for firing projectilesare well known. As used herein, compressed gas gun refers to any gunwherein a projectile is fired via the force of compressed gas, andincludes paintball markers. As used herein, projectiles refers to bothpaintballs, and other projectiles used in sport and game play.

Paintball markers have two basic mechanisms that operate for firing apaintball from the marker during a firing operation. One of thesemechanisms is for chambering a paintball in the breech of a paintballmarker. This mechanism usually involves the use of a bolt thatreciprocates from a loading position to a firing position in the chamberof the marker. The other mechanism operates to release a burst ofcompressed gas to propel the paintball from the breech and out thebarrel of the marker. This mechanism usually involves either amechanically controlled or electronically controlled valving system.

A variety of different types of paintball markers exist in the field,using a variety of mechanisms for accomplishing their purpose ofprojecting paintballs. Two of the types of “actions” are the open boltaction and the closed bolt action.

In the open bolt action, the gun body comprises two parallel tubularchambers or bores. The upper chamber contains the bolt, while the lowerchamber includes a hammer and at least one discharge or pin-type valve,also referred to as an exhaust or firing valve. The lower chamber alsohouses a pin valve that opens and closes a flow passage between a highpressure chamber, and the upper chamber. The bolt and hammer componentsare linked together, usually via a mechanical linkage, allowing them tomove in concert. The bolt and hammer assembly is held in the cockedposition via a trigger sear, which catches the hammer portion of theassembly. In this position, the breech is open and a paintball is ableto drop via an infeed tube into position in front of the bolt. When thetrigger is pulled, the sear releases the hammer and a spring drives thehammer and bolt forward. As the bolt moves forward, it chambers apaintball into the barrel of the marker gun. In the lower chamber, thehammer moves forward to strike the pin valve and open the flow passage.The pin valve releases a burst of high pressure gas into and through thebolt, expelling the paintball from the barrel.

The closed bolt action differs from the open bolt action in that in theclosed bolt action, when the marker gun is in the cocked configurationthe bolt is in the closed position, and a paintball is already chamberedin the barrel. Also, in a closed bolt action, the hammer and bolt moveindependently. Since a ball is chambered with the bolt stationary whilethe hammer moves, there is less “bounce” or “kick” during firing of themarker. Additionally, the paintball is not impacted by the boltimmediately before it is discharged from the marker gun, and therefore,the paintball should experience less surface distortion. Thiscombination of fewer inertial forces and reduced distortion of thesurface of the projectile may improve precision and accuracy of a closedbolt marker over the same marker using an open bolt action.

In the “autococking” action paintball marker, when the trigger ispulled, the hammer is released, striking the valve and sending gasthrough the bolt and down the barrel, thus firing a paintball. Gas isalso vented to a low pressure regulator, which in turn supplies athree-way valve. The three-way valve is connected to a pneumatic ram,which in turn is mechanically linked to a back block cocking mechanismand to the bolt.

The consistency with which paintballs are chambered and with whichcompressed gas is released greatly impacts the accuracy of a paintballmarker. It would be advantageous to have a compressed gas gun where thechambering and valving mechanisms are completely independent. Inaddition, it would be advantageous to have a compressed gas gun with apneumatic assembly where the hammer was operated by compressed gasdirectly supplied by a solenoid valve, and where the pneumatic assemblyincludes a way to channel compressed gas directly to the hammer whileavoiding loss of compressed gas, to increase the efficiency of thecompressed gas gun. In addition, it would be advantageous to have apneumatic assembly for firing a compressed gas gun where there are fewmoving parts.

There is, accordingly, the need for a pneumatic assembly for acompressed gas gun, comprising a hammer and valving arrangement that issimple in construction, has few moving parts, is completely independentof the bolt system, and is easily adjustable.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a novel pneumaticassembly for a compressed gas gun. The novel pneumatic assembly can beutilized in either a closed bolt or an open bolt action compressed gasgun, although it is preferred that the novel pneumatic assembly beincorporated into a closed bolt action compressed gas gun.

A compressed gas gun comprising the pneumatic assembly of the presentinvention comprises a compressed gas gun body having a breech, a boltmoveable within the breech from a loading position to a firing position,and a pneumatic assembly in communication with breech. A hammer conduitis provided within a hammer chamber at the rearward portion of apneumatic assembly. A hammer for impacting a discharge valve is providedwithin the hammer chamber, the hammer being moveable from aready-to-fire position to a firing position. At least a portion of thehammer receives at least a portion of the hammer conduit. When thetrigger of the compressed gas gun is actuated (pulled) to initiate afiring operation, compressed gas flows through the hammer conduit,forcing the hammer forward in the hammer chamber. The hammer impacts adischarge valve, opening a flow passage between a high pressure chamberand the bolt.

The present invention also relates to a pneumatic assembly comprising ahigh pressure chamber, a hammer chamber, and a discharge valve betweenthe high pressure chamber and hammer chamber. The hammer is biased to aready-to-fire or first position by a hammer return spring. Compressedgas from a compressed gas source is routed to the rear of the hammerthrough a hammer conduit, propelling the hammer forward toward thedischarge valve. A hammer return spring is positioned forward of thehammer, biasing the hammer toward the ready-to-fire position. As thehammer moves forward, the hammer return spring is compressed. The hammercontacts the stem of the discharge valve, opening a flow passagereleasing compressed gas to fire the paintball from the compressed gasgun. The compressed gas behind the hammer is vented, allowing the hammerreturn spring to return the hammer to the ready-to-fire position.

The present invention is also directed to a conversion kit for modifyinga compressed gas gun to include a pneumatic assembly of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts upon readingthe following detailed description of a particularly preferredembodiment of the invention, which illustrates the best modecontemplated for practicing the invention, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional side view of a compressed gas gun ofthe closed bolt “autococking” variety as is known in the art.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a compressed gas gun according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the compressed gas gun of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the compressed gas gun of FIG.2, taken along line 4—4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a close up detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion ofa compressed gas gun having a pneumatic assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a close up detailed cross-sectional side view of a portion ofan alternate embodiment of a compressed gas gun having a pneumaticassembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the body of an alternateembodiment of a compressed gas gun having a pneumatic assembly accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the bodyof a compressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the compressed gas gun of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the compressed gas gun of FIG.8.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a portion of thecompressed gas gun shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Certain terminology is used in the following detailed description forconvenience only and is not considered limiting. A preferred embodimentof a compressed gas gun and pneumatic assembly of the present inventionis disclosed here and in the Figures. For clarity, within this documentall reference to the top and bottom of the compressed gas gun andpneumatic assembly will correspond to the compressed gas gun as orientedin FIG. 1. Likewise, all reference to the front or forward portion ofsaid compressed gas gun and pneumatic assembly will correspond to theleftmost part of said gun as viewed in FIG. 1, and all reference to therear portion of said compressed gas gun and pneumatic assembly willcorrespond to the rightmost part of said compressed gas gun andpneumatic assembly as viewed in FIG. 2. The words “upper” and “lower”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “forward” and “rear” designate directions in the drawings to whichreference is made. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined asincluding one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted.

A cross sectional side view of an illustrative prior art closed boltmechanically cocking, or “autococking,” compressed gas gun is shown inFIG. 1. A close bolt compressed gas gun 200 of the “autococking” actionhas a gun body 202, having an upper chamber or breech 204, and a lowerchamber 206. The lower chamber 206 houses a cocking rod 208 whichprojects out of the back of the gun body, and is connected to a hammer210. The hammer 210 is biased forward by a spring 212. An exhaust valve214 is provided in the lower chamber having a stem 216 on the side ofthe hammer 210, and a valve seat 218 on the opposite side of the exhaustvalve 214. A high pressure chamber 240 receives compressed gas from acompressed gas source (not shown). Generally, the source of compressedgas is a compressed gas tank, as is well known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper chamber 204 houses a bolt 220 having anaperture therethrough 222. The bolt 220 is attached to a back block 224.Paintballs 226 are received in the upper chamber 204 via an infeedopening 227.

A ram 228, which acts as a piston, is connected to a rod 230 that isattached to the back block 224. The ram 228 is controlled by a three-wayvalve 232 that is mechanically connected to a trigger 234 that is housedin a trigger frame 248. When the trigger 234 is actuated (pulled), thethree-way valve 232 shunts compressed gas to the forward end of the ram228 which in turn moves the ram and back block rearward, placing thebolt in a loading position. When this happens, the block pulls the boltand cocking rod back as well. The bolt 220 is now in a loading positionwhich allows a paintball to fall into the chamber. The cocking rod 208is also moved rearward by the back block, so the hammer 210 is alsopulled back until the sear 236 catches on the trigger. When the triggeris released, the three-way shunts compressed gas to the rearward portionof the ram, pulling the back block forward, thereby closing the bolt.The compressed gas gun is now prepared for firing. Actuating the triggerreleases the sear, the spring biases the hammer forward to hit the seat,the exhaust valve opens to send compressed gas through the bolt, and thepaintball is fired, automatically starting the process over again toload the next paintball. Several companies offer “autococking”compressed gas guns of the closed bolt design described herein,including, by way of example, SHOCKTECH, KAPP and DYE.

As can be discerned from the above description, the mechanical backblock, cocking rod and sear arrangement is not efficient. The presentinvention eliminates the cocking rod and hammer arrangement of known“autococking” compressed gas guns, eliminates the sear, may eliminatethe three-way valve, and provides a simple, efficient pneumatic firingsystem that may be electronically controlled.

Referring now to FIGS. 2–5, a first embodiment of a compressed gas gun10 having a gun body 12 and the pneumatic assembly 32 of the presentinvention is shown. The compressed gas gun 10 shown in FIG. 2 is of theclosed bolt action type, similar to the type described in detail in U.S.Pat. No. 6,763,822.

The gun body 12, shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, has a breech 16 whichchambers paintballs for firing. A paintball infeed tube 28 is providedfor receiving paintballs 26 into the breech 16. The infeed tube 28 maybe attached to a paintball hopper or loader (not shown) mounted on topof the compressed gas gun 10. A barrel 22 may be permanently orremoveably attached to the gun body 12, such as by threaded engagement.A trigger frame 92 having a grip portion 94 may also be attached to thegun body 12. The trigger frame 92 includes a trigger guard 98 thatprotects the trigger 24, and may also house assemblies and electronicsfor operation of the compressed gas gun, such as a solenoid valve 42,described in greater detail below.

During a firing operation, which is initiated by actuation of thetrigger 24 (i.e., pulling the trigger 24), closed bolt compressed gasguns begin in the firing position, as shown in FIG. 2, with a paintballchambered in the breech 16, ready for firing out of the barrel 22 of thecompressed gas gun 10. A bolt 18 is provided within the breech 16. Thebolt 18 has a bolt aperture 30 therethrough, permitting the passage ofcompressed gas for firing a paintball. The bolt 18 is moveable from arearward loading position to a forward firing position, with the firingposition shown in FIG. 2. The bolt 18 may be attached to a pneumaticallyoperable ram and rod as described above and shown in FIG. 1, that may beattached either directly to the bolt, or to a back block 20 shown inFIG. 2. However, it is contemplated that a compressed gas gun madeaccording to the present invention may include a bolt that reciprocatesby means other than a ram, rod and back block arrangement, such as byblow back gas, a spring arrangement, or by alternately directingcompressed gas to the forward and rearward portions of the bolt 18. Anymeans for reciprocating the bolt may be used without departing from thepresent invention. In the closed bolt arrangement, the bolt movementshould be independent from the movement of the pneumatic assembly, asdiscussed in greater detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, pneumatic assembly 32 is provided, whichpreferably extends along the lower portion of the gun body 12, and is incommunication with the breech 16. The pneumatic assembly 32 has aforward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion of thepneumatic assembly 32 comprises a high pressure chamber 34 whichreceives compressed gas from a source of compressed gas, such as acompressed gas tank (not shown). A low pressure regulator 38 may beprovided at a forward portion of the pneumatic assembly 32, incommunication with the high pressure chamber 34. The low pressureregulator 38 may be used for adjustment of the operation of thecompressed gas gun, as is known in the art. Compressed gas is suppliedto a conduit 40, which is in communication with a solenoid valve 42,which will be described in greater detail below. Compressed gas may alsobe supplied by the source of compressed gas (not shown) directly to thesolenoid valve 42. It is appreciated that a compressed gas gun utilizingthe pneumatic assembly of the present invention may not be equipped witha low pressure regulator without departing from the present invention.If a low pressure regulator is not employed, the conduit 40 maycommunicate directly with the high pressure chamber 34. In addition, an“in-line” regulator 130 may be used to adjust the compressed gaspressure from the compressed gas source.

The pneumatic assembly 32 further comprises a hammer chamber 62 which ispreferably at the rearward portion of the pneumatic assembly 32. Ahammer conduit 46 is provided in rear portion of the hammer chamber 62in communication with the solenoid valve 42 via conduit 44. The hammerconduit 46 has at least a portion that comprises a tube wall, designatedherein as a hammer conduit wall extension 48, having a diameter D1, andhaving an aperture 50 therethrough, as shown in detail in FIG. 5.

A hammer 52, moveable from a ready-to-fire or first or rear position, toa firing or second or forward position, is disposed within the hammerchamber 62. The hammer comprises a striking portion 54 at the forwardend of the hammer 52. The hammer 52 includes an aperture 56 sized forreceiving the hammer conduit wall extension 48. The aperture 56 of thehammer 52 has a diameter D2 that is greater than the diameter D1 of thehammer conduit wall extension 48. Thus, the aperture 56 coaxiallysurrounds the hammer conduit wall extension 48. A hammer return spring58 is positioned forward of the hammer 52 in the hammer chamber 62,biasing the hammer 52 to a ready-to-fire, or rear, position. However, itis appreciated that the hammer return spring could be located in anysuitable position, and can be a compression or tension spring, dependingon the location.

A discharge valve 60 is provided between the high pressure chamber 34and the hammer chamber 62. The discharge valve 60 may be any valvingmechanism that can selectively supply compressed gas to the breech uponbeing struck by the hammer 52. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the discharge valve 60 is a pin valve that includes a seatmember 64 movably receiving a pin valve member 66. The pin valve member66 includes an elongate stem portion 68 extending rearwardly through theseat member 64, and a sealing portion 74 forward of the seat member 64.A flow passage 70 (also referred to as a “flow path”, both “flowpassage” and “flow path” being used interchangeably herein) is providedthrough the seat member 64 and provides communication between the highpressure chamber 34 and the aperture 30 of the bolt 18 when the pinvalve member 66 is unseated. A valve spring 72 is provided, biasing thepin valve member 66 rearward, and therefore, sealing the flow passage 70until the stem portion 68 is struck by the hammer 52.

A plug 128 may be provided at the rear of the hammer chamber 62,threadably attached to the gun body 12. Removal of the plug 128 allowsfor easy access, adjustment, and replacement of the various componentsof the pneumatic assembly 32 of the present invention. The plug 128 mayalso be used to adjust the axial position of the hammer conduit, therebycontrolling movement of the hammer 52 against the hammer return spring58.

A compressed gas gun having the pneumatic assembly of the presentinvention operates as follows. In a closed bolt arrangement, the bolt 18of the compressed gas gun 10 begins in the firing or forward position,as shown in FIG. 2. In this example, a paintball has already beenchambered, and is in position for firing. The trigger 24 is pulled(actuated) by a user, opening a flow passage in the solenoid valve 42,and allowing compressed gas to travel through the hammer conduit 46. Itis appreciated that the trigger 24 may actuate the solenoid valvethrough an electronic signal, or mechanically.

The compressed gas released by the solenoid valve flows through conduit44, through the hammer conduit 46, and acts upon the hammer 52. Thehammer is moved by the force of compressed gas channeled through thehammer conduit 46 toward the forward or firing position, against thebias of the hammer return spring 58. Thus, in order to fire thecompressed gas gun, the force of the compressed gas flowing through thehammer conduit 46 must be able to overcome the bias of the hammer returnspring 58.

The components of the gun body, or discrete components of the pneumaticassembly, may be offered as parts of a kit, with selective parts of thegun body or pneumatic assembly described herein included in the kit, sothat a user may convert a compressed gas gun to operate according to thepresent invention.

So that the hammer 52 may be returned to a ready-to-fire position,compressed gas may be vented rearward of the hammer 52, such as througha vent hole formed at an appropriate position in the gun body 12. Inanother embodiment, a valve 76, such as an elbow valve or a quickexhaust valve (or QEV) as is known in the art may be used at thejunction of the conduit 44, and the hammer conduit 46. It is appreciatedthat while use of the quick exhaust valve allows a faster return of thehammer, it is not required.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, thehammer 80 and hammer conduit wall extension 84 may be arranged withinthe hammer chamber so that in the forward or firing position, the hammer80 moves off of and exposes the hammer conduit wall extension 84,leaving a gap between the hammer 80 and the hammer conduit wallextension 84 as the hammer 80 travels toward the discharge valve 86.Compressed gas traveling through the hammer conduit 82 will vent, andmay be released either through a vent hole in the gun body, or throughan exhaust valve as previously discussed.

As shown in the Figures, the illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention shows the trigger 24 operating the solenoid valve 42. It isappreciated that the trigger can operate the solenoid valve eithermechanically, such as with a mechanical switch, or electronically. Inone embodiment of the present invention, an electronic control circuit96 may be utilized for initiating the firing operation of a compressedgas gun of the present invention. The electronic control circuit 96 maybe in electronic communication with the trigger, so that pulling thetrigger will activate the electronic control circuit. When the triggeris actuated by a user, an electronic signal is sent to the controlcircuit. The control circuit opens the solenoid valve, allowingcompressed gas to flow through the hammer conduit, firing the compressedgas gun. A microprocessor may be used as part of the control circuit tocontrol gun operation, as well as to track variables of gun operation,including tracking data such as shots fired, power supply, game time,firing parameters, firing mode, etc. As shown in FIG. 4, a power sourcesuch as a battery 88 may be housed in the grip portion 94 of the triggerframe 92.

The pneumatic assembly of the present invention may also be used toconvert an existing “autococking” compressed gas gun to include thepneumatic assembly disclosed herein. In that case, the original cockingrod, hammer and three-way valve may be replaced by one or more solenoidvalves, hammer conduit and hammer of the present invention.

Although illustrated as a closed bolt arrangement above, it isappreciated that the pneumatic assembly of the present invention may beemployed in an open bolt compressed gas gun, as shown in FIG. 7. In theopen bolt arrangement, a compressed gas gun body 100 has a hammerchamber 102 including a hammer conduit 104, and a hammer 106. A hammerreturn spring 108 is positioned between the hammer 106 and the dischargevalve 110. A mechanical linkage 112 is provided, connected the hammer106 to the bolt 114 of the gun. The mechanical linkage extends through apassage 116 between the breech 118 and the hammer chamber 102. Thus,when the hammer 106 reciprocates, the bolt 114 will be moved as well.When compressed gas is supplied through the hammer conduit 104, both thehammer 106 and the bolt 114 are moved to a forward or firing position. Apaintball 120 is chambered in the breech. In a forward position, thebolt aperture 122 aligns with the flow passage 124 of the dischargevalve 110. The hammer 106 strikes the discharge valve 110, opening theflow passage 124, and allowing compressed gas to be released from thehigh pressure chamber 126, to fire the paintball 120 from the gun.

The present invention is also directed to a compressed gun body, asshown in FIGS. 8-11, which may be offered as a replacement or “upgrade”or customizable body. The gun body 12 comprises a breech 16 which mayinclude a bolt 18, or alternately, a bolt 18 can be offered separatelyfrom the body 12. A pneumatic assembly 32 comprises a high pressurechamber 34, a hammer chamber 62, and a discharge valve between the highpressure chamber 34 and hammer chamber 62. A conduit 44, with or withoutan exhaust valve 76 may be provided extending from the body 12, andcapable of being attached to a separately offered trigger frame andsolenoid valve. The hammer conduit 46 and hammer 52 are provided withinthe hammer chamber 62.

The components of the gun body, or discrete components of the pneumaticassembly, may be offered as parts of a “kit,” with selective parts ofthe gun body or pneumatic assembly described herein included in the kit,so that a user may convert a compressed gas gun to operate according tothe present invention.

Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the attachmentsystem of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will beapparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only afew of which are exemplified in the detailed description of theinvention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts andprinciples embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerousembodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment arepossible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventiveconcepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment andoptional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respectsas exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to thisembodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency ofsaid claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

1. A pneumatic assembly for a compressed gas gun, comprising: a highpressure chamber for receiving compressed gas from a compressed gassource, a hammer chamber, and a discharge valve between the hammerchamber and the high pressure chamber, wherein the hammer chambercomprises: a hammer conduit disposed within the hammer chamber, at leasta portion of the hammer conduit having a first diameter; and, a hammermoveable within the hammer chamber from a ready-to-fire position to afiring position adjacent the discharge valve, the hammer including anaperture having a diameter greater than the first diameter of the hammerconduit for receiving at least a portion of the hammer conduit withinthe aperture in at least the ready-to-fire position, wherein the hammeris biased to a ready-to-fire position by a hammer return spring.
 2. Thepneumatic assembly of claim 1, wherein the hammer return spring ispositioned in the hammer chamber forward of the hammer.
 3. The pneumaticassembly of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust valve incommunication with the hammer conduit for venting compressed gas.
 4. Thepneumatic assembly of claim 1, further comprising a solenoid valveadapted to selectively control a supply of the compressed gas to thehammer conduit.
 5. The pneumatic assembly of claim 4, wherein thesolenoid valve is operated by a trigger.
 6. The pneumatic assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising an electronic control circuit forcontrolling a firing operation of the compressed gas gun.
 7. Acompressed gas gun, comprising: a gun body; a pneumatic assemblydisposed in the gun body, the pneumatic assembly including a highpressure chamber for receiving compressed gas from a compressed gassource, a hammer chamber, and a discharge valve between the hammerchamber and the high pressure chamber, wherein the hammer chambercomprises: a hammer conduit disposed within the hammer chamber, at leasta portion of the hammer conduit having a first diameter; and, a hammermoveable within the hammer chamber from a ready-to-fire position to afiring position adjacent the discharge valve, the hammer including anaperture having a diameter greater than the first diameter of the hammerconduit for receiving at least a portion of the hammer conduit withinthe aperture in at least the ready-to-fire position, wherein the hammeris biased to a ready-to-fire position by a hammer return spring.
 8. Thecompressed gas gun of claim 7, wherein the hammer return spring ispositioned in the hammer chamber forward of the hammer.
 9. Thecompressed gas gun of claim 7, further comprising an exhaust valve incommunication with the hammer conduit for venting compressed gas. 10.The compressed gas gun of claim 7, further comprising a solenoid valveadapted to selectively control a supply of the compressed gas to thehammer conduit.
 11. The compressed gas gun of claim 10, wherein thesolenoid valve is operated by a trigger.
 12. The compressed gas gun ofclaim 7, further comprising an electronic control circuit forcontrolling a firing operation of the compressed gas gun.
 13. Acompressed gas gun, comprising: a gun body; a breech in an upper portionof the gun body; a bolt moveable within the breech from a loadingposition to a firing position, the bolt having a bolt aperturetherethrough; a pneumatic assembly in a lower portion of the gun body,the pneumatic assembly including a high pressure chamber for receivingcompressed gas from a compressed gas source, a hammer chamber, and adischarge valve between the high pressure chamber and the hammerchamber, wherein the hammer chamber comprises: a hammer conduit disposedwithin the hammer chamber, at least a portion of the hammer conduithaving a first diameter; and, a hammer moveable within the hammerchamber from a ready-to-fire position to a firing position adjacent thedischarge valve, the hammer including an aperture having a diametergreater than the first diameter of the hammer conduit for receiving atleast a portion of the hammer conduit within the aperture in at leastthe ready-to-fire position, wherein the hammer is biased to aready-to-fire position by a hammer return spring; a solenoid valve incommunication with the compressed gas source and adapted to selectivelydirect compressed gas to the hammer conduit; a trigger frame connectedto the gun body including a trigger in communication with the solenoidvalve for initiating a firing operation of the compressed gas gun. 14.The compressed gas gun of claim 13, further comprising an electroniccontrol circuit for controlling a firing operation of the compressed gasgun.
 15. A compressed gas gun body, comprising: a breech in an upperportion of the gun body; a pneumatic assembly in a lower portion of thegun body, the pneumatic assembly including a high pressure chamber forreceiving compressed gas from a compressed gas source, a hammer chamber,and a discharge valve between the hammer chamber, wherein the hammerchamber comprises: a hammer conduit disposed within the hammer chamber,at least a portion of the hammer conduit having a first diameter; and, ahammer moveable within the hammer chamber from a ready-to-fire positionadjacent the hammer conduit to a firing position adjacent the dischargevalve, the hammer including an aperture having a diameter greater thanthe first diameter of the hammer conduit for receiving at least aportion of the hammer conduit within the aperture, wherein the hammer isbiased to a ready-to-fire position by a hammer return spring.
 16. Thegun body of claim 15, wherein the hammer return spring is positioned inthe hammer chamber forward of the hammer.
 17. The gun body of claim 15,further comprising a bolt moveable within the breech from a loading to afiring position, the bolt having a bolt aperture therethrough.
 18. Thegun body of claim 15, further comprising a conduit in communication withthe hammer conduit extending from a lower portion of the gun body.
 19. Amethod of firing a compressed gas gun, comprising: providing a pneumaticassembly disposed in a gun body, the pneumatic assembly including a highpressure chamber for receiving compressed gas from a compressed gassource, a hammer chamber, and a discharge valve between the hammerchamber and the high pressure chamber; providing a hammer conduitdisposed within the hammer chamber, at least a portion of the hammerconduit having a first diameter; providing a hammer moveable within thehammer chamber from a ready-to-fire position to a firing positionadjacent the discharge valve, the hammer including an aperture having adiameter greater than the first diameter of the hammer conduit forreceiving at least a portion of the hammer conduit within the aperturein at least the ready-to-fire position, wherein the hammer is biased toa ready-to-fire position by a hammer return spring; providing a solenoidvalve for selectively supplying compressed gas to the hammer conduit;and, providing a trigger adapted to operate the solenoid valve, wherebyactuating the trigger initiates a firing operation.